Pro-inflammatory cytokine profile of critically ill septic patients following therapeutic plasma exchange.

Severe sepsis involves a generalized inflammatory response, mediated by a number of various cytokines and factors. Plasma exchange (PE) has been proposed as a therapeutic approach to improve survival of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. The theory is that removing harmful excessive endogenous inflammatory mediators is beneficial. Upon establishment of a diagnosis of severe sepsis, twelve patients received PE plus conventional sepsis treatment. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assayed before and after each session of PE.